Read Matthew 5:13-15

God never promised us a rose garden. He came up front with us and admitted that the arena of this world is not a "friend of grace to help us on to God." 

Nevertheless, strange as it may seem, He went on to tell a handful of Jewish peasants (and all godly servants in every generation) that their influence would be nothing short of remarkable. They would be "the salt of the earth" and they would be "the light of the world." 

And so shall we! 

So far-reaching would be the influence of servants in society, their presence would be as significant as salt on food and as light on darkness. Neither is loud or externally impressive, but both are essential. Without our influence, this old world would soon begin to realise our absence. 

Even though it may not admit it, society needs both salt and light.

Excerpted from Charles R. Swindoll, Wisdom for the Way (Nashville: J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., 2001). Copyright © 2001 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.